How to Make Fingerboard Foam Tape

Because skateboarding is not allowed on many school campuses, kids often play with fingerboards during recess or lunch. (Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images)

Fingerboarding, which originated in the late 1970s in the United States, has grown to be considered a professional sport. It has sponsors, professional licenses, logos and specially-designed products to cater to the preferences and styles of fingerboarders. One such tool that can change the feel of your fingerboard, and ultimately, the way you engage in the sport, is foam tape or foam grip tape. Using these styles of tape make the fingerboarding process smoother and easier on the hands because there is a soft cushion between your fingers and the board itself.

Skill level:

Moderate

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Things you need

Glue

Thin foam

Fingerboard "tool"

Scissors

Pencil

Grip tape (optional)

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Instructions

1

Remove your trucks, which is the skateboarding term for a type of axel, from the fingerboard if they are attached to it. You can do this by using your fingerboard's unique tool, simply called the "tool," to unscrew the four miniature screws in each of the two trucks.

2

Use the tool to scrape under one edge of your old grip tape. Pull the tape off of the board once you are able to grab it with your fingers.

3

Place the new grip tape, which will be larger than the board and shaped like a rectangle, on the fingerboard without removing the film that will make it stick permanently.

4

Draw or scratch an outline of your board on the tape by using the tool and then cut you grip tape to match the outline.

5

Place the newly cut grip tape on a piece of foam, which should be a slightly larger rectangle similar to the original form of the tape. Use a pencil to draw the tape's outline on the foam, as you cannot scratch a line with your tool.

6

Cut out your board-shaped piece of foam and gently dab one entire side with glue. Carefully place the foam, glue-side down, on the board. Line up all of the edges of the foam and board.

7

Let the glue dry for three to five minutes, then remove the protective film from your grip tape and attach it to the foam. If your grip tape is not adhesive, use the glue to attach it to the foam and let it dry for another three to five minutes.

8

Flip the board upside-down and push the "tool" or a truck screw through all eight holes so that they poke through the other side. Make sure you put pressure on the other side so you do not tear off your new foam or tape.

9

Reattach your trucks.

Tips and warnings

Your foam should not be any thicker than your fingerboard.

Scratching grip tape with your "tool" will not harm it. Because it is a gritty, black, sandpaper-like material, pencil can be hard to see. Scratching it, however, creates a white, distinguishable line.

You do not need to put grip tape over the foam; however, the purpose of this tape is to keep your fingers from sliding off the board. Thus, grip tape is recommended.

Average white school glue, such as Elmer's glue, will be perfect for the project.

If any glue oozes out from underneath the foam when it is placed on the board, you can simply remove it with your fingers or a tissue.

A secure way to hold the board when poking the holes for truck screws is to place one finger on each end of the top side and your thumb in the centre of the bottom side.

You can use thicker foam, but you will lose much of the functionality of the board.